"Dream Season Ends - Red Raiders Fight Adversity, Come Up Short"
November 6, 2011
One week removed from clinching a fifth straight Big South 3A Conference championship, South Point entered the first round of the state playoffs in a statement game. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders the opposing Weddington Warriors had designs on making their own statement in what was considered a "David vs. Goliath" matchup. South Point weathered the storm in spite of costly turnovers and injuries yet fell to the Warriors by a 23-17 score at Lineberger Stadium. With the sound of the final horn and the pain that set in, RaiderNation is left to wonder what might have been. The healing process should begin with reflection, a review of the outstanding accomplishments of some outstanding young men, the 2011 South Point Red Raiders.
Thoughtful consideration of the this year's squad should cause us to realize that while trophies are awarded for most valuable players, South Point is loaded with most valuable contributors! The names listed week after week on this site were generally those who put points on the scoreboard for the Red Raiders. Those who kept the opponents out of the endzone also received credit. We will remember seniors, Allman, Braunscheidel, Horne, Forney, Kagen, Lawing, Leeper, Porter, Rogers, Sanders, and Watkins, who received recognition for outstanding efforts in regular season contests. We will remember the seniors, Dionne, Flowers, Fowler, Gallipeau, Griffin, Hayes, Howard, Jones, Locklear, Moore, Nauditt, and Walker, whose value to the team may or may not have been measured by time spent on the field but whose presence provided immeasurable impact in each victory. We will remember Costner and Winkler, seniors whose time was cut short due to injury but who never wavered in their dedication to the team and their teammates. Throughout their careers these seniors never knew what it felt like to be less than the best in the Big South 3A Conference! They led a talented group of underclassmen in sustaining a program that is second to none. Their association with the team has now changed but their desire for the success of the Red Raiders will not end. The 2011 South Point Red Raiders epitomized the definition of champions both on and off the field.
As family and friends gathered on the field for consolation, often was heard the assurance that "the sun would come up tomorrow", and indeed it has for a few days since. And as time passes that "sun" should become brighter. Our focus will become clearer and we'll know that we are successful. We are successful because we a part of a very special group. Mars Hill seems so far away and yet as each day goes by our anticipation grows.
We are RED RAIDERS! And WE'LL BE BACK!
Go Get 'Em, Red!
Notable Facts and Thoughts
To suggest that the character of the young men that strapped on the pads for the Big Red this year is less than remarkable, would be to understate their virtue. Throughout the season, as postgame interviews for this site were conducted, each player's comment began with an appreciative recognition of their coaches. Routinely, credit offered for jobs well done was reflected to a coach or teammate. Attitudes of this nature should be commended and emulated!
2011 All Big South Football Awards Winners
L-R
Dayton Rogers Big South Special Teams Player of the Year
Mickey Lineberger Big South Coach of the Year
Jordan Forney Big South Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Troy Leeper Big South Offensive Player of the Year
2011 Fall Sports Banquet - Football
L-R
Front Row
Troy Leeper Dr. Wade Breeland Most Valuable Player & Big South Offensive Player of the Year; Patrick Horne Wrather Johnson Sportsmanship Award; Dan Johnson Shelia M. Rollins Memorial Award Most Versatile Player; Jeremy Sanders Co-Bennie Cunningham Most Improved Award; Jaquan Brooks JV Football Best Offense Award; Deryk Dionne Co-Bennie Cunningham Most Improved Award
Back Row
Dayton Rogers Big South Special Teams Player of the Year; Jeffrey Lawing Gerald Cortner Memorial Award for Excellence in Football, Scholarship & Citizenship; David Braunscheidel Dr. Eddie Lineberger Best Blocker Award; Jordan Kagen Unsung Hero Award; Jordan Forney Belmont Drug Defensive Player of the Year & Co-Big South Defensive Player of the Year
